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the starting point of the Historical Way.
I arrived in Santiago do Cacem at noon to a celebration party at the local tourism bureau. I was just looking for a map, but was handed a glass of wine, some savoury cheeses and cured meats, and Alcomonias cake! Alcomonias is Arabic in origin and contains pine nuts, a pinch of cumin, flour and sugar. Yummy!
Lots of Arabic history here. This castelo, which I toiled up a steep hill to explore, was built in 712 by the Moors, and then captured and rebuilt by the Knights of Templar in 1157. Now it’s the local cemetery.
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Trekked over several more hills to my room for the next two nights. Tomorrow I am following a ‘Circular Route’ around the town to see the ruins of a Roman village. But tonight, it’s cheese and beer followed by a shower!
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